Tape cassette with memory device including memory and antenna for wireless communication with another antenna in audio/image recording and reproducing system

ABSTRACT

A tape cassette includes a magnetic tape, a cassette housing in which the magnetic tape is housed, and a memory device attached to the housing. The memory device stores features of data recorded in the magnetic tape. Also, the features include image data, audio data, and control data.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a tape cassette for use with anaudio/image recording and reproducing system. In particular, the presentinvention relates to a tape cassette with a memory device, for example,a slip-like thinned memory attached to the tape cassette, the memory,device having a memory for data storage and an antenna for wirelesscommunication with another antenna provided in the audio/image recordingand reproducing system.

Also, the present invention relates to an audio/image recording andreproducing apparatus for use with a tape cassette having a thinnedmemory device attached thereto.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A great need has existed for tape cassettes that are used repeatedly todeliver certain information, for example, a chime issued at broadcaststations, to indicate a physical deterioration of the tape located inthe cassette housing. For this purpose, there has been proposed a tapeevaluator for evaluating the deterioration of the tape. Indeed, the tapeevaluator allows the deterioration to be evaluated precisely. However,it requires a long time, i.e., several tens of minutes, per cassette.This means that, in order to evaluate all the tape cassettes in anoffice or company, a considerable amount of time is wasted.

Another practical way has been utilized in which a replayed number foreach tape cassette is recorded in a table and, by referring the table,the deterioration of the tape cassette is determined by the replayednumber. This allows the deterioration of every cassette to be determinedwith a reduced time. However, supposing the fact that some tapecassettes record audio/image only in a limited portion, e.g., beginningportion of the tape, the replayed number may not provide a correctdeterioration for every portion of the tape cassette.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a tape cassette thatallows the deterioration of the tape cassette to be determined at everyportion of the tape whenever needed.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a tape cassettethat allows the tape cassette to indicate a portion or portions where noaudio/image has been recorded and, thereby, results in an efficientforward/backward winding of the tape.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an audio/imagerecording and reproducing apparatus for use with a tape cassette with amemory device attached thereto.

Accordingly, a tape cassette according to the present invention has amagnetic tape, a cassette housing in which the magnetic tape is housed,and a memory device attached to the housing, the memory device storingfeatures of data recorded in the magnetic tape.

In another aspect of the tape cassette according to the presentinvention, the features of data recorded in the magnetic tape includeimage data, audio data, and control data.

In another aspect of the tape cassette according to the presentinvention, the features of data recorded in the magnetic tape include atleast one of a time code for each of frames, residual time of themagnetic tape, time for each of still and stop operations, error rates,recording formats, and messages of warning.

An audio/image recording and reproducing apparatus for use with a tapecassette with a memory device has a reading element which readsinformation recorded in the memory device of the tape cassette when thetape reproducing apparatus. The apparatus further includes a writingelement. When a stop and still operation is performed for the magnetictape, the writing element calculates a total time for stop and stilloperations at a portion where the stop and still operation has been madeand then memorizes time code and tape residue for a frame of the portionand a total time and the number of the stop and still operationsperformed at the frame of the portion. Further, when an error hasoccurred in a portion of the tape during its reproduction, the writingelement records time code and tape residue for a frame of the portionand then records error rate, record format, and warning message in thememory device.

In another aspect of the audio/image recording and reproducing apparatusfor use with a tape cassette with a memory device according to thepresent invention, the audio/image recording and reproducing apparatuscomprises a controller which memorizes and updates a tape residue of themagnetic tape in the memory device and controls an initial speed forforward or backward winding of the tape depending upon the tape residuein which audio/image can be recorded.

In another aspect of the audio/image recording and reproducing apparatusaccording to the present invention, the apparatus displays a contentstored in the memory device and allows the displayed content to bemodified or updated.

According to the present invention, the deterioration of the magnetictape can precisely be evaluated at every portion of the magnetic tapewith a reduced time and without any difficulty. Also, the tape residuecan be provided at any time, causing effective forward and backwardwindings of the tape with a considerably reduced time.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a tape cassette having a memory deviceattached thereto in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing components of the memory device andthe corresponding portion of an audio/image recording and reproducingsystem in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing components of the audio/imagerecording and reproducing system in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIGS. 4 and 5 are flowcharts showing a program flow of operationsperformed in the audio/image recording and reproducing system;

FIG. 6 shows an example of a table of magnetic tape management log-filedata; and

FIG. 7 shows a memory map of the magnetic tape management log-file data.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 illustrates an appearance of a tape cassette generally indicatedby reference numeral 2. The tape cassette 2, which is used with anaudio/image recording and reproducing system, includes a plastic casingor housing in the form of box and a tape wounded on a pair of reels (notshown) rotatably supported in the housing. The housing has a thinnedmemory device 4 in the form of label, attached on an exterior wall ofthe housing. The thinned memory device 4 can electromagneticallymemorize information or a signal transmitted thereto. A memory devicecommercially available from SONY Corporation, Japan, under the tradename of “Memory Seal” can preferably be used for the thinned memorydevice 4.

FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of the memory device 4 and anotherblock diagram of an interface mounted in the audio/image recording andreproducing system not shown. The memory device 4 includes an antenna 3b for wireless communication with another antenna, and a memory unit 8for electromagnetically memorizing information or a signal received bythe antenna 3 b and transmitting memorized information from the antenna3 b. No power supply is incorporated in the memory device 4. Instead,the memory unit 8 employs a non-contact power supply technique. In thisnon-contact power supply technique, due to the change in an electricfield detected by the antenna 3 b, the memory unit 8 generates power toenergize its electric components necessary for memorizing informationtransmitted from the antenna 3 b and transmitting memorized informationfrom the antenna. 3 b. For this purpose, the memory unit 8 includes amemory device, such as nonvolatile memory, capable of keeping datawithout any power supply, in which the transmitted information arestored.

The interface 6 includes an antenna 3 a for the interactive wirelesscommunication with the antenna 3 b, a communication control 10, and amicrocomputer 12, connected serially. Although not shown, thecommunication control 10 and microcomputer 12 are electricallycommunicated with a power supply (not shown) provided inside or outsidethe audio/image recording and reproducing system. The antennas 3 a and 3b are positioned so that, when the tape cassette 2 is mounted into atape receiving station in the audio/image recording and reproducingsystem, they oppose and then communicate to each other.

With the above arrangement, when the tape cassette 2 is positioned inthe tape receiving station of the system, the antennas 3 a and 3 b faceto each other. In this state, the microcomputer 12 drives thecommunication control 10 to change the magnetic field around theantennas 3 a and 3 b, causing the memory unit 8 to energize. Also, themicrocomputer 12 commands the communication circuit 10 to transmitinformation or a signal through the neighboring antennas 3 a and 3 binto the memory unit 8 where the information is stored. On the otherhand, based upon the command from the communication control 10, thememory unit 8 transmits information stored therein through the antennas3 b and 3 a, and the communication control 10 into the microcomputer 12.

FIG. 3 illustrates a block diagram of the audio/image recording andreproducing system and the tape cassette positioned in place in thesystem. With this system, when recording audio/image on a magnetic tape58, audio/image signal 20 is transmitted from the audio/image pickupdevice, not shown, through a signal processing circuit 22. The signalprocessing circuit 22 processes the input signal 20 into another signalsuitable for the recordation onto the magnetic tape 58. The processedsignal is transmitted to a recording amplifier 24 where it is amplified.Then, the amplified signal is transmitted to a writing/reading head 52by which it is recorded onto the magnetic tape 58. On the other hand,when reproducing the audio/image information recorded on the magnetictape 58, the writing/reading head 52 reads out the recorded informationfrom the magnetic tape 58 and then sends out a signal corresponding tothe read-out information. The signal is transmitted to a reproductionamplifier 26 where it is amplified. The amplified signal is thentransmitted to a signal processing circuit 28 where it is processed intoanother signal suitable for reproduction. Further, the processed signal30 is transmitted to an audio/image output device not shown. Note thatthe above-described arrangement and its signal processing procedures arewell known to the art.

Also, as is known in the art, the signal processing circuit 28 detectsany error in the reproduced signal, or the recorded information, foreach of the frames. Note that the audio/image signal consists of 30frames per second. The signal processing circuit 28, once it detects anerror, generates an error signal 34 which would be transmitted to asignal processor 36 for processing the error signal 34.

The signal processor 36 performs various operations such as storage,calculation, and other processes for the error signal 34. In addition,the signal processor 36 carries out other operations such as storage,calculation, and other processes of log-file data to be transmitted fromthe memory unit 8 of the memory device 4, which will be described indetail hereinafter.

The microcomputer 12 includes a mechanical control 38 and servo control42. The mechanical control 38 controls signals relating to audio/imagesignal 30, tape control signal 50, and data to be stored in the memorydevice 4, based upon signals transmitted from the signal processor 36,servo control 42, and communication circuit 10. The servo control 42controls initial speeds of the forward and backward windings of themagnetic tape based upon information of a residual record time orresidual tape portion in which further audio/image can be recorded. Notethat the residual information of the tape is transmitted from themechanical control 38 and then memorized in the memory device 4.

Referring to program flowcharts in FIGS. 4 and 5, operations at thesignal processor 36, mechanical control 38 and servo control 42,operations for data input and output at the memory unit 8 in the memorydevice, and the initial speed control at the forward and backwardwindings of the tape will be described in detail hereinafter.

In operation, the servo control 42 receives the tape control signal 50that indicates whether the tape cassette 54 has been inserted in placein the tape receiving station (step 1). When the tape cassette 54 ispositioned in the tape receiving station, the servo control 42 receivesa time code of the frame in the tape portion, which contacts with thehead 52. The time code is then transmitted to the mechanical control 38where it is memorized (step 2). Although not shown, the mechanicalcontrol 38 has a memory, such as random access memory. Also, if theresidual record time of the magnetic tape 58 of the inserted tapecassette 54 is recorded in the memory unit 8 of the memory device 4, themechanical control 38 receives the residual record time from the antenna3 a and communication circuit 10 and then memorizes the same in itsmemory, such as random access memory (step 3). In addition, log-filedata (see FIGS. 6 and 7) in the memory unit 8 is transmitted through theantenna 3 a, communication circuit 10, and mechanical control 38 intothe signal processor 36 where it is memorized. For this purpose, thesignal processor 36 has a memory, such as random access memory, notshown.

FIG. 6 illustrates examples of the magnetic tape management log-filedata. The log-file data includes various information such as time code,residual record time, sum of still time, the number of times ofrecordation/reproduction, error rate, record format, and error warning.Therefore, the log-file data provides a useful tool for the quickdetermination of the deterioration of the magnetic tape. Each content ofthe information will be described in detail hereinafter.

At each of steps 4, 6, 10, and 12, it is determined by the mechanicalcontrol 12 whether any operation that follows the insertion of the tapecassette 54 has been performed. Based upon the determinations, theprogram flows to a stop and still (i.e., temporal halt or pause),replay, or forward/backward winding process.

In the stop and still process, a still time is counted at step 5. Also,when the tape is restarted, the time code of the frame that has been incontact with the head in this still time is calculated. Further, thetotal still time and the total still number for the frame are updated.Also, the calculated time code and updated total still time are recordedin the memory of the signal processor 36.

In the reproduction process, the program flows according to steps 7 to9. The signal processor 36 receives possible error information 34generated for each of the frames and transmitted from the signalprocessing circuit 28. Once the error information 34 is received, thesignal processor 28 calculates the tape residue in which furtheraudio/image can be recorded from the frame where the error has occurredat step 7 in accordance with the tape position information 48 from theservo control. Further, the signal processor 28 calculates the errorrate for the frame where the error has occurred at step 9.

The time code, tape residue, and error rate are temporarily stored inthe random access memory of the signal processor 36, together with theformat and error warning information of the audio/image signal as it isreplayed. The format and error warning information is contained in theerror information 34. Examples of the format and error warning of theaudio/image signal being reproduced are provided in the log-file data inFIG. 6.

The time code, tape residue, and error rate generated from the errorinformation are data that should be stored as management log formanaging the magnetic tape. Note that a storage capacity of the memoryunit 8 of the memory device 4 for the magnetic tape 58 is limited.Therefore, in this embodiment, frame data having the highest error rateis selected among log-files in the random access memory of the signalprocessor 36. Only the selected frame data having the highest error rateis then stored in the random access memory of the signal processor 36 atstep 9.

In the forward/backward winding process, the current tape residue storedat step 3 in the random access memory of the mechanical control 38 iscompared with the predetermined value. If the current tape residue isgreater than the predetermined value and the forward winding is selectedby the operator, or if the current tape residue is less than thepredetermined value and the backward winding is selected by the operator(step 13), the servo control 42 provides the tape control signal 50 toincrease the initial tape speed in the forward or backward operation inthe record and reproduction system (step 14).

On the other hand, if the current tape residue is less than thepredetermined value and the forward winding is selected by the operator,or if the tape residue is greater than the predetermined value andbackward winding is selected by the operator, the servo control 42provides the tape control signal 50 to decrease the initial tape speedin the forward or backward operation in the record and reproductionsystem (step 15). As such, the speed control is performed based on thetape residue (step 16).

The above mentioned initial tape speed control at forward or backwardwinding operation is carried out only when the first operation after thetape cassette insertion is forward or backward operation. Therefore, ifthe first operation selected after the insertion is the reproduction,the servo control can receive tape position information 48 during thereproduction. Then, after the reproduction, the initial tape speedcontrol at forward and backward operations is performed using the tapeposition information 48 already received.

In an eject operation in which the tape cassette is ejected from thetape receiving station of the system, before ejecting tape cassette, thecontent to be stored in the memory unit 8 of the memory device 4attached to the tape cassette 54 is updated. Among data remaining in therandom access memory of the signal processor 36, data of time code, taperesidue, error rate, format, and error warning for the highest errorrate is stored in the memory unit 8 of the memory device 4 (see FIG. 6).If the time code of the frame at which the stop and still operation ismade and its stop and still time are temporally stored in the randomaccess memory of the signal processor 36, those are also used as themanagement log-file data of the magnetic tape. In addition, the timecode, tape residue, total still time, and the total record and replaynumber are the content to be recorded in the memory unit 8. Moreover,the tape residue when the tape has been ejected is also recorded in thememory unit 8 of the memory device 4.

As described above, the magnetic tape management log-file data stored inthe memory unit 8 of the memory device 4 of the tape cassette 54 andthen transmitted through the serial communication into the random accessmemory of the signal processor 36 can be added onto the audio/imageoutput 30 through the signal processor 28, as required. For example, inthe display means for displaying the recorded image, the log-file datacan be displayed together with or without the reproduction image. Thismeans that, simply by the insertion of the tape cassette 54 into therecord and replay system, the operator can understand the tape historyand/or the error made to the tape cassette.

Also, the magnetic tape management log-file data added to theaudio/image output 30 can be modified or updated by another input meansprovided in the audio/image recording and reproducing system. Further,the modified or updated log-file data can be used for the update of thedata stored in the memory unit 8 of the memory device 4.

FIG. 7 illustrates an example of a memory map of the magnetic tapemanagement log-file data. In this embodiment, the storage capacity is 1Kbytes in which an area for the management log-file data occupies 256bytes. Also, a user area in which the user can input data occupies 256bytes and a free area in which any data can, be stored occupies 512bytes. If necessary, sizes of the management log-file area, user area,and free area can be modified.

Also, data stored in the user and free areas can be displayed by theaudio/image displaying means. The displayed data, e.g., data in the userarea and free area, may be modified or updated by the input or modifyingmeans.

What is claimed is:
 1. An audio/image recording and reproducingapparatus for use with a tape cassette having magnetic tape and a memorydevice, said audio/image recording and reproducing apparatus comprising:a reading element operable to read information recorded in the memorydevice of the tape cassette when the tape cassette is mounted in saidaudio/image recording and reproducing apparatus; and a writing element,wherein, when a stop and still operation is performed for the magnetictape, said writing element calculates a total time for stop and stilloperations at a portion of the magnetic tape where the stop and stilloperation has been made and then memorizes a time code and a taperesidue for a frame of the portion and a total time and a number of stopand still operations performed at the frame of the portion, and wherein,when an error has occurred in a portion of the magnetic tape duringreproduction, said writing element records a time code and a taperesidue for a frame of the portion and then records an error rate, arecord format, and a warning message in the memory device.
 2. Anaudio/image recording and reproducing apparatus in accordance with claim1, further comprising a controller operable to memorize and update atape residue of the magnetic tape in the memory device and control aninitial speed for forward or backward winding of the magnetic tapedepending upon the tape residue of the magnetic tape in which at leastone of audio and an image is recordable.
 3. An audio/image recording andreproducing apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein saidaudio/image recording and reproducing apparatus displays content storedin the memory device and allows the displayed content to be modified orupdated.
 4. An audio/image recording and reproducing apparatus inaccordance with claim 2, wherein said audio/image recording andreproducing apparatus displays content stored in the memory device andallows the displayed content to be modified or updated.